Investigations underway after death of man at Midlands Prison in Laois

The Irish Prison Service confirmed the death, which will also be investigated by the State’s prison watchdog and possibly gardaí, but provided little detail on the circumstances of his passing on the evening of April 1.

The Leinster Express / Laois Live understands the inmate, believed to be Irish, had been placed in a secure cell after an interaction with prison officers that day. He was later discovered unresponsive, with his death confirmed sometime afterwards.

The Irish Prison Service outlined what the next steps would be.

“All deaths in custody are investigated by the Irish Prison Service, the Inspector of Prisons and An Garda Síochána, where circumstances warrant. The cause of death is determined by the Coroner’s Office.

“The Irish Prison Service wish to express our condolences to the deceased’s family and friends,” the IPS concluded.

The death will also be subject to an independent investigation by the Chief Inspector of Prisons, who, under the law, is obliged to investigate all deaths in prison custody.

These can lead to recommendations for improvement. Investigation reports are published by the Minister for Justice, subject to the law, in the interest of public transparency, to promote best practice in the care of prisoners.

​Figures published this year show that deaths in custody rose nationally from 24 in 2023 to 31 in 2024, with breakdowns in risk management and medical oversight found to be factors.

The Irish Penal Reform Trust said in response that many deaths were "preventable," citing unprecedented overcrowding and chronic gaps in therapeutic services.

There were 1,118 prisoners in the Midlands on the day of the death, which was 25% above the jail’s 891-bed capacity.